Disney’s live-action remake of Moana was planned a long time ago. While the performance of Snow White in 2025 raised a lot of questions about the fate of Moana, Disney decided to go ahead without any pause, and the musical adventure is arriving in theatres on July 10, 2026. Notably, advance screenings have been organised, and the verdict is out now.
The premise remains the same, and the runtime is a little long compared to the original animated film. It hits everything that people remember from the 2016 movie. But the real question is whether seeing those beats in live-action adds anything new.
Long runtime offers a better look at everything
Catherine Laga’aia is the reason that Moana stays afloat. Making her film debut, the actress does not try to mimic the original voice performance. She plays the lead role with quiet strength and conviction. When she argues with her father, when she steps onto the canoe, when she talks to the ocean, there is a sincerity that keeps anyone invested. She makes ‘Moana’ feel like a real teenager carrying the weight of a village, not just a Disney princess.
The extra runtime is used well in places. Instead of adding new storylines, the film stretches moments. We get longer looks at Motunui, more time with the rituals, more space for silence between big speeches. That breathing room makes the island feel lived-in. It turns the journey from a checklist of plot points into something more personal.
The songs are the biggest highlight, and keeping them intact was a smart move. Performed with a live orchestra and real vocals, they gain a new texture. How Far I’ll Go is expected to give some chills, and You’re Welcome is supposed to leave an impression. The familiarity with the story is the biggest comfort for the parents and kids entering the theatre.
The live-action remake also works due to the real locations. Filming in Hawaii brings the real sky, real water, and real sand on screen. The shots ground the myth. Anyone can feel the wind and sun. In those moments, the film remembers what the story is actually about: connection to ancestry, to the sea, to who you are.
Extreme faithfulness to the source material brings more issues
Moana live-action remake is too faithful for its own good. It recreates the 2016 movie line for line, song for song, beat for beat. Without a new perspective or reimagining, it never answers why it exists. It feels less like a new telling and more like a duplicate made in a different format.
The move to photorealistic visuals is the biggest problem. The 2016 animated film was vibrant, colorful, and expressive. The ocean was a character. But here, the CGI frequently clashes with the live locations. The lighting looks artificial. Instead of feeling immersive, the effects push the film into an uncanny space where nothing feels fully real. The magic is drained out.
The character of ‘Maui’ also suffers from a problem. Bringing Dwayne Johnson back in the same role doesn’t work since the performance is stiff. The costume and wig are distracting. ‘Maui’ should be loud, chaotic, and larger than life. In this version, he feels muted, like he’s going through the motions.
Since the film refuses to take risks, it cannot surprise anyone. And because it doesn’t fail spectacularly, it can’t be ignored either. It just exists in the middle, reminding people about the scenes that they have already witnessed.
Moana live-action remake is earnest and watchable, especially for kids who haven’t seen the original. Laga’aia is a bright spot, and the core message still resonates. But the flat visuals, the shot-for-shot approach, and the uninspired take on ‘Maui’ make it hard to recommend over the 2016 version. It’s not broken. It’s just unnecessary.
What are your thoughts about the new Moana live-action remake? Let us know.
PC: Disney/YouTube
Also Read: Rajesh Sharma Is Hospitalised After Poisonous Insect Bite, He Worked As A Driver, Got Married Twice
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.bollywoodshaadis.com ’
